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Ministry of Agriculture
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Project Progress Report
023/06VIE
Treating and recycling waste water and solids from
fish ponds
in
the Mekong Delta to improve
livelihood and reduce water pollution
+

5.5 Project Management
9
6.
Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
9
6.1 Environment
9
6.2 Gender and Social Issues
9
7.
Implementation
&
Sustainability Issues 10
7.1 Issues and Constraints 10
7.2 Options 10
7.3 Sustainability 10
8.
Next Critical Steps 10
9. Conclusion 11
10. Statuatory Declaration 11
1.
Institute Information
Contact
Officer(s)
Project Name
Vietnamese Institution
Vietnamese Project Team Leader
In Australia: Team Leader
023106VIE
Cuu Long Rice Research Institute

Telephone:
+61 8 93607566
Fax:
Email:

Telephone:
+84 71 861452
Fax:
+8471861457
Email: phungcv@,vahoo.com.vn

2.
Project Abstract
-
The use of fishpond waste at Chau Phu and Phu Tan districts of An Giang
province showed that fishpond waste by farmers increased rice yield significantly
about
1
tonneha because solid waste from fishpond has higher content of
available nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium as well as
micronutrients.
-
A field experiment was conducted using three doses of solid wastes (1, 2 and 3
tonneha) in combination with 113 and 213 of the recommended inorganic
fertilisers rate
(60N-40P205-30K20). Rice yields are more or less the same in all
treatment, suggesting that the fishpond waste
relaced 113 to 213 of the fertiliser
normally applied. The results again confirmed that solid waste from fishpond can
be recycled for rice culture to mitigate pollution of waterway.

directly to the waterway. Farmers practicing fish culture are richer, high educated and
younger than those carrying out rice cultivation. However, about 15
%
of fishpond
holders are recent migrants who have bought or rented lands from local farmers.
Impacts reported on water quality include greenish-black colour, bad smell, high
turbidity, causing itching on contact. Moreover, farmers raising fish recognised that
percentages of diseases infected. fish is much higher (about 15%) than before
(<
5
%).
The demand for effective and economical solutions for control of water pollution is
the first priority of stakeholders.
-
The survey of farmers' practices on fishpond waste treatment was completed during
the dry season 2007 at 2 sites (An Giang province and Can Tho city). Most of the
wastes (liquid and solid) are
pumped directly into waterways (rivers or canals). In the
case of fishponds located nearby big rivers
(Tien and Hau), waste is apparently
diluted by the large volume of water flow and it is not reported to cause much
problem in comparison with discharge situated at the far end of small rivers or canals.
Under some circumstances, waste was discharge into paddy fields. A concern
requiring management arises mainly due to high content of nitrogen in waste causing
yield loss by lodging. However, a judicious use of waste in balance with inorganic
fertiliser application may increase rice yield in some cases.
-
During the dry season 2007, we conducted a study on "Effect of waste application on
rice yield in An Giang province". We selected 32 paddies wherein 16 fields received
waste through discharges from fishponds while the others did not. Results showed

days. Nitrite concentration in control treatment increased up to 3
mgL at day 2. Other
treatments maintained nitrite level below 0.5
mgL. Nitrate was detected only in
control tank at day 4. It might be concluded that BKC and denitrifying bacteria has
the ability to reduce nitrite and nitrate in waste water, however, further experiments
will be undertaken to determine the fate of the ammonium lost from solution.
4.
Introduction
8
Background
Fishpond aquaculture is as a major industry in the Mekong Delta. However, wastewater and
solid waste discharge from fish ponds is causing pollution of canals and rivers harming the
quality of water used for household purposes and threatening the future of the aquaculture
industry itself. There is a clear and urgent need to develop strategies for reducing waste
discharge from fish ponds so that the fishpond aquaculture industry can continue to support
income diversification in the Mekong Delta, while complying with the water quality
discharge standards outlined in Vietnamese law and regulations (Ministry of Fisheries
2006)'.
Water in fish ponds is replaced frequently generating large quantities for disposal or re-use.
Currently wastewater is mostly discharged into communal rivers and canals, but this has
caused significant downstream water pollution, such that most of the aquaculture is now
located in the headwaters of catchments.
In
order to reduce pollution, National
Environmental Law introduced in 2005 prohibits direct wastewater discharge into rivers and
canals. Offenders may either be fined or their operation closed until compliance is achieved.
In addition annual emptying and cleaning of solid waste from the base of fish ponds is
essential to control the spread of diseases among fish. This produces an organic-rich
sluny

A
major variable in
producers' capacity to control the inputs to fish ponds is the water used to fill ponds, which is
drawn
from rivers and canals. However, under the cumulative influence of intensive fishpond
aquaculture, a decline in quality of river and canal water from the discharges is limiting
productivity and expansion of fishpond aquaculture by causing the downstream spread of
bacterial disease and parasites in the water. It may also be impacting adversely on the health
of families that draw significant amounts of their domestic water from these polluted sources.
The challenge of this project is to protect the fishpond aquaculture industry which is a source
of diversified income for farmers in the Mekong delta by treating the waste water and solids
from fish ponds, whilst at the same time protecting the environment and householder users
from water pollution.
The expected outputs are directed to improving competitiveness of fishpond aquaculture
producers in the Mekong Delta. In addition, technologies to be developed will improve
natural resources management by decreasing water pollution from uncontrolled discharge of
fishpond waste water and solids into rivers and canals. The overall Project objective is to
improve the sustainability of fishpond aquaculture production and water quality in the
Mekong Delta. Specific Project objectives are:
e
Develop effective treatment strategies for wastewater and solids from
fishponds before discharge to reduce water pollution;
e
Develop resource recovery and re-use strategies for waste water and solids
from fish ponds including land application and novel end uses;
0
Increase stability of household income from fishpond aquaculture through
encouraging diversification of production and markets in the Mekong Delta.
This project targets fishpond aquaculture, not other types of aquaculture such as cage
aquaculture and shrimp aquaculture. Cage aquaculture is declining in importance due to

ozone treatment. However, research is needed to ascertain the potential of each method for
treating wastes and improving water quality, and to gather evidence of their effectiveness in
meeting water quality outcomes.
The specialist fishpond producers generally have inadequate land remaining for recycling
wastewater and solid waste. Currently wastes are discharged directly into canals and rivers,
sometimes after treatment with biocides. Further investigation is needed to determine the
impacts of biocides on the downstream environment. In addition, opportunities need to be
explored for cooperative arrangements that allow the disposal of wastewater and solid wastes
from the specialist producers onto neighbouring farmers' land. However, the best practices
for carrying this out still need to be developed, and once established can be extended to this
group of producers.
5.
Progress to
Date
5.1
Implementation Highlights
Baseline study: Questionnaires for baseline study were formulated in consultation with
researchers of Can Tho University, and with extension officers in Can Tho city and
An
Giang
provinces. The survey was conducted in September and October, 2007. In total 240
questionnaires of stakeholders were collected (2
districts/province). Data is now being
analysed by the Department of Socio-Economics of Cuu Long Rice Research Institute.
Preliminary results showed that all
stakeholders were concerned about surface water
pollution because of its impacts on sustainability of production and livelihoods. There were
about 20
%
of the farmers (including both fish and rice farmers) stating that water quality is

requiring management arises mainly due to high content of nitrogen in waste causing rice
yield loss by lodging. However, a judicious use of waste in balance with inorganic fertiliser
application may increase rice yield in some cases.
During the dry season 2007, we conducted a study on "Effect of waste application on rice
yield in An Giang
provinceyy. We selected 32 paddies wherein
16
fields received waste
through discharges from fishponds while the others did not. Results showed that rice yields
in fields receiving waste were 0.8-1.0
tonneslha higher than those that did not receive waste
(Table 1). This might be due to high nutrient content in waste especially available nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium as well as secondary and micronutrients (Table 2). However, organic
carbon content in paddies receiving waste were lower. This problem is under studying to
clarify whether farmer used only liquid waste for irrigation.
Table
1. Average rice yields (tha) in paired sites in An Giang province with and without
fishpond sediment application. Values are means of 8 replicates.
Water
qualitv sampling: Three study areas have been selected: Chau Phu and Phu Tan in An
Giang Province; Thot Not in
Cantho district. In addition, water sampling is proposed for
Binh Thuy and Phong Dien districts near
Cantho city, in areas practising VAC.
Without fishpond sediment
6.9
6.6
District
Chau phu
Phu Than

practiced
Some farmers use
liquid waste from
fish ponds for rice
cultures
Controversies on
liquid waste
application on rice
Settling pond, tree
lot irrigation, rice
padi application
Landfill on orchard,
watering vegetable
and rice
Landfill on orchard,
watering vegetable
and rice
Water quality measurements proposed:
Chemical properties: pH, EC, BOD, COD,
Nos,
P,
S,
Biological properties:
E
coli, Total coliform, Staphyllococcus, Salmonella.
Feeding
Own feed
mixing plus
pellets
Own feed

be planned to coincide with such periods of discharge to capture the base load in pollution
events.
Closest drainage
Small drain
discharging
through gates to
large canal
Discharging
through gates to
small canal
Mainly to canals,
some was
discharged on
padi
Small canal
Small canal
District
Chau Phu
Phu Tan
ThotNot
Binh Thuy
Phong Dien
Aquaculture
system
Large fishponds,
recent
development
Large fishponds,
recent
development

time, but rather the levels in drains discharging into the main canals.
Field experiment on the use of solid fishpond waste for rice: A field study on the beneficial
use of solid fishpond waste for rice cultivation was carried out during the wet season 2007 at
the experimental farm of Cuu Long Rice Research Institute. Three dosages of waste at the
rate of
1,
2 and 3 tonnesha were applied in combination with 113 and 213 dosages of
inorganic fertilisers. The 100
%
rate' of inorganic fertilisers (60N-40PzOs-30Kz0) served as
the control. There were no significant differences in rice yields over all treatments. This
indicated that uses of solid waste from fishpond can save money for fanners by reducing
fertiliser inputs. This experiment will be repeated during the dry season 2007-2008 at the
same site.
Recvclinn of waste water for rice irrigation: One experiment on recycling of waste water for
rice irrigation has been carried out from August 2007. It will be harvested by the end of
November.
Water quality in fish ponds: The analysis of water collected from fish ponds indicated that it
is high in water soluble nitrogen, total suspended solids while coliform bacteria was at the
limits and the smell was bad in reference with the Standard for regulation
No.212006 of the
Ministry of Fisheries.
Microbial treatment of wastewater: Eight isolates
.and one strain of denitrifying bacteria
Pseudomonas stuzeri
(reference strain ATCC14405) were collected from fishponds in the
Cuu Long Delta for microbial treatment of waste water. Four isolates were selected based on
the ability to reduce ammonium, nitrite and nitrate in liquid waste collected from fishponds.
Another treatment was BKC (benzalkonium chloride), a commonly chemical used by
farmers, and a control (untreated). Results showed that ammonium contents in waste water

money for inorganic fertilisers.
5.3 Capacity Building
One BSc student of An Giang University completed his thesis entitled
"
Effect of waste
discharge to paddy on rice yield"
Two
MSc students from Can Tho University are now carrying their thesis on Treating and
recycling of solid and liquid waste from fishpond.
5.4 Publicity
None to report.
5.5 Project Management
The sub-contract was sent to CLRRI in July and signed in August. The baseline survey was
delayed mainly because
finds were not sent until the sub-contract was signed and then a
delay in receipt of funds
from MurdochLink. We believe this problem has been solved for
future transfers.
Professors Richard Bell and
Goen Ho visited Cuu Long Rice Research Institute and Cantho
University in July to discuss project implementation and planning, including site selection.
6.
Report on Cross-Cutting Issues
6.1 Environment
None to report.
6.2 Gender and Social lssues
None to report.
7.
Implementation
&

CLRRI will host the training courses at CLRRI. The Institute is able to accommodate up to
30
participants, cater on site, and has adequate meeting rooms and labs to run the workshop.
It was agreed that we would aim for 15-20 participants at CLRRI.
Land application
of
waste
Scheduled for week
1
of January 2008. A tentative schedule was to have
3
hours each
morning for lectures, with the afternoons used for field visits, workshops and labs. Possible
topics are;
Soil properties relevant to waste application
Waste remediation processes in soils
Types of waste applied to soils, particularly organic waste and waste water
Rice nutrient requirements
Principles and methods of waste application
Environmental impacts of waste application on land
Case studies in land application of wastes
Possible lab and workshop sessions:
Soil organic matter determination
Characterisation of waste water and water quality
Field experiment on solid waste application
Field visits to fishponds practising waste treatment of fish pond waste at
OMon and
Thot Not district
Calculating optimum fertiliser rates when using waste water and solid waste
9.

EQUIPMENT
AND
OTHER SERVICES
Vietnamese Personnel
Provided
Dr. Cao Van Phung
Dr. Cao Ngoc Diep
Dr. Vu Ngoc Ut
Mr. Ky Quang Vinh
Ms. Truong thi ngoc Chi
'
Days in
Vietnam
10

Days in
Vietnam
120
100
6 0
60
Equipment
&
Other Services Description
Field trial management and sampling
Field labors
Chemicals
&
glasswares
Local travel

a
duly authorised officer in the presence of
Signature of Witness
Insert Name and Title Insert Name and Title
Project Progress Against Proposed Objectives, Outputs, Activities And Inputs
Project Title:
Treating and recycling waste water and solids from fish ponds in the Mekong Delta to improve livelihood and reduce water pollution
Vietnamese
Narrative
OBJECTIVES
OUTPUTS
PROGRESS REPORT
Information Required
No change
Survey completed at 2
sites
(Cantho city and An Giang
province). Two districts of
Cantho are Omon and Thot Not; two
other
in
An
Giang are Chau Phu and Phu Tan. Commencement
delayed by late transfer of funds from
MurdochLink.
Identified recycling methods (mainly liquid waste is used for
irrigated rice).
Settling pond used by only
5
%of farmers;

concentration
limits allowable for
pollutants
discharged to
waterways.
Regulation No.
0212006
1.1 Complete
stakeholder survey in
two districts for 60
households each.
1.2 Settling pond and
use of liquid waste
for rice cultivation;
1.3 Research results
document the amount
of wastewater and
solid waste that can
be treated and
compliance with
discharge standards.
Assumptions
That is possible in 3
years to develop and
demonstrate the
effectiveness of one or
more treatments for
wastewater and solid
wastes.
Complete within 2

treatment of solid waste
Not applicable
July 2007
October 2007
May-June 2007
Jan-May 2007
August 2007
August 2007
Aug 2007
December 2007
May 2008
One survey on effect of waste on rice yield had been done in the
dry season 2007;
One experiment on the effect of solid waste from fishpond had
been done in the wet season 2007;
One experiment on the effect of liquid waste on rice yield is
going on during
Aug Nov12007
2 lab trials on microbial treatment of waste water were completed
8 isolates of Pseudomonas
stutzeri having high potential for
denitrification were selected for lab and field trials
results suggest denitrification is taking place but this needs
confirmation by tracking the fate of all forms of N in the
solutions.
Signed for the Australian Institution by a duly
authorised officer in the presence of witness
Signature of Witness
Insert Name and Title
Insert Name and Title